title: Narrow size distribution of microbubbles for enhancement of harmonic imaging.
abstract: An ultrasound microbubble contrast agent is a promising technique in clinical diagnosis because ultrasound in combination with microbubbles enhances the ultrasound backscatter to produce an increased contrast images. In this study, we developed phospholipid-based microbubbles showing a relatively narrow size distribution of 0.8-1.3 microm. The optimal resonance frequency of developed microbubbles was determined to be 2.5-3.0 MHz by measuring echo signals at various frequencies. Ultrasound harmonic imaging was performed in a vessel phantom at the optimal resonance frequencies. Microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound images visualized a vessel tube clearly and demonstrated much improved image quality, compared to the control. In conclusion, the ultrasonography in the harmonic mode is capable of maximally resonating micrbubbles with a narrow size distribution at a specific frequency for enhanced ultrasound imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, #1 Shinsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 121-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyungwon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Jaesok
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Sunyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tai-Kyong
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hyuncheol
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D045423:Microbubbles; D008954:Models, Biological; D010316:Particle Size; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D008055:Lipids